Low Risk, Reversible, Weight Loss Procedure

ABSTRACT

A surgical weight loss procedure to reduce stomach volume is provided. The procedure involves gathering together a quantity of stomach tissue and securing this tissue together in a gathered position, which can reduce the volume of the stomach. This reduced stomach volume allows a patient to feel satiated with a much smaller amount of food, leading to weight loss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to a medical procedure toreduce stomach volume. More particularly the present disclosure relatesto an endoscopic and minimally invasive method of reducing stomachvolume.

Description of Related Art

Obesity is a major health issue throughout much of the world, especiallyin the United States. In 2015, it was estimated that 107.7 millionchildren and 603.7 million adults were obese worldwide. Over one thirdof American adults are obese, and obesity rates continue to increase.

While dieting, exercising, and medicinal solutions exist, weight losssurgery (WLS) is the most effective intervention to reduce body weightand obesity-associated diseases among obese patients and has become awidely accepted approach to treating these disorders. However, there aremany shortcomings of the existing weight loss surgery procedures. Manyinvolve accessing the stomach surgically, which has numerous relateddangers. Also, many procedures cut and/or suture the stomach. Thiscauses trauma to the stomach tissue as well as the related risks ofanesthetics, as well as infection, and the like which result from anycutting or puncturing of bodily tissue. Further, many of these methodsare complex, invasive, and require substantial recovery time and dietaryshifts to allow the body to heal and to allow the stomach to resumenormal operation. All of these factors lead to weight loss surgery andthe existing procedures being expensive and risky.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases,interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem,and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a method of reducing stomach volume is provided. Themethod involves gathering a quantity of stomach tissue of a stomach of apatient, and securing the gathered quantity of stomach tissue in thegathered position so as to reduce a volume of the stomach of thepatient.

In another aspect, an endoscopic method of reducing stomach volume isprovided. The method involves inserting an endoscope comprising at leastone tool into a stomach of a patient. The endoscope and tool are usedfor gathering a quantity of stomach tissue of the stomach of thepatient, and for securing the gathered quantity of stomach tissue in thegathered position so as to reduce the effective volume of the stomach ofthe patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an endoscopic embodiment of the performance of theprocedure is shown.

FIG. 2 provides a detail view of an embodiment of the gathered stomachtissue.

FIG. 3 provides a detail view of an embodiment of the gathered stomachtissue

FIG. 4 provides a view of an embodiment of the procedure using a suctionendoscope tool.

FIG. 5 provides a view of an embodiment of an endoscope and endoscopictools.

FIG. 6 provides a view of an embodiment of an endoscope and endoscopictools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and does not represent the only forms in which thepresent invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

The present invention solves many problems of the prior art. The presentdisclosure relates to a new medical weight loss procedure which reducesstomach volume by gathering a portion of the stomach tissue together andholding it in place. This draws the remainder of the stomach closertogether, reducing the effective stomach volume. The procedure may bedone endoscopically in certain embodiments, greatly minimizing itsinvasiveness and greatly increasing the speed of the procedure andrecovery. The stomach and other gastrointestinal organs, in mostembodiments, remain fully intact, which can allow the procedure to bereversed easily. This procedure also allows the body to be able toprocess food as before the procedure, with no nutrient deficiencies asis experienced in many other procedures. In many cases, the proceduredisclosed herein can be used for patients with conditions that may notmake them eligible for other treatment methods, such as children andslightly overweight individuals. Further still, typically there will belimited post-procedure restrictions, such as type of food or foodquantity limits as is the case with other prior art methods. Prior artprocedures often require a liquid only diet, proceeding to soft food andthen finally regular food which adds recovery challenges.

Generally, the method of this disclosure involves the gathering of aportion of stomach tissue and then securing it in place so as todecrease the overall effective volume of the stomach. Care may be takento secure the stomach tissue together gently, so as not to damage thetissue or excessively cut off blood flow. In so doing, the feeling ofsatiety is achieved with a much smaller amount of food, withoutrestriction on type or quality of food. For example, the stomach tissuemay be gathered into a ball or other shape, and then held in place by awrap, band, tie, ring, band, covering, net, balloon, and the like. Bygathering up the stomach tissue and holding it in place, the effectivestomach volume is reduced in a way which avoids the cutting or externalaccess limitations of the prior art procedures.

The gathering discussed herein refers to the bringing together ofstomach tissue. This may be done in any number of ways, and thegathering is used generally to discuss a way to reduce the effectivestomach volume by adjusting the shape of the stomach from its naturalshape to reduce volume. As discussed below, the gathering may be in theform of bringing the stomach tissue into a ball, drawing it inwards,folding it, wrapping it, and so on. Non-limiting examples of thegathering are also shown in the figures, as discussed in detail below.

In a particular embodiment, the procedure of reducing the effectivestomach volume will be performed endoscopically using an endoscope. Forexample, an endoscope with appropriate tools may be inserted through thepatient's esophagus (via either the mouth or the nose) and into thestomach. The endoscope will be guided to a predetermined area of thestomach, and tools of the endoscope will be used to gather apredetermined amount of the stomach tissue together, for example into aball or similar shape, and then to wrap a tie or similar retainerstructure around the gathered tissue to hold it in place. The endoscopemay use any type of tool or tools to achieve the stomach tissuegathering. For example, a suction tool may be used to draw the stomachtissue in, and then a pincer or other manipulating tool may be used toapply the tie to hold the tissue together. In another embodiment agrasping or pincer tool may be used to grab a portion or portions of thestomach tissue, and draw it inward, and then another pincer or othermanipulating tool may be used to apply the tie to hold the tissuetogether. In some embodiments, the stomach tissue may be gathered andheld in place at more than one location, depending on desired results,patient needs, and stomach configuration. For convenience, this gatheredand held stomach tissue will be referred to as a “ball” though of courseit need not be in that shape. This procedure may be carried out by aperson operating the endoscope (or other device used to carry out theprocedure), or may be performed by a computerized robotics machine.

The amount of stomach tissue gathered, and thus the amount of effectivestomach volume reduced, will vary from patient to patient. The amountwill depend on the existing size of the stomach and the anticipatedand/or desired weight loss rate.

In many instances, the stomach ball may be untied or otherwise releasedallowing the procedure to be reversed. The stomach will then revert toclose to its previous size and shape. Further, in other embodiments, thestomach ball may be cut and stitched to completely remove the stomachtissue after it is gathered. In a further particular embodiment, theendoscope may hold the removed stomach tissue and bring it out of thebody when the endoscope is removed. However, this cutting is notperformed in most embodiments so as to allow for a safer, quicker, lessinvasive, reversible procedure with a quicker recovery time compared tothe prior art methods which involve cutting large sections of thestomach tissue.

In certain embodiments, the stomach tissue ball may be secured by a bandwhich may wrap around part of the gathered stomach tissue to hold it inplace. In one embodiment, the band may be able to be tightened and/orloosened remotely. For example, a small motor engaged with the band mayallow for the tightening or loosening. A signal receiver or transceivermay be in communication with the motor and capable of activating themotor upon receipt of a signal. This arrangement allows for adjustmentof the band remotely from outside of the body.

In various embodiments, this band (or whatever other structure is usedto hold the tissue together, examples of which are provided above) maycomprise a marker to allow it to be identified from outside the body.For example, the marker may be identifiable by radiation, throughultrasound or x-ray, magnetically, as an RFID chip, and the like. Forexample, the marker may be selected of a material which is opaque whenviewed on an X-ray or ultrasound.

While the present procedure has been discussed largely in terms of anendoscopic procedure, it should be understood that this is notnecessarily required. Indeed, the disclosure relates to any procedurewhich can reduce effective stomach volume by gathering together stomachtissue and holding it in place, endoscopically or otherwise.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an endoscopic embodiment of the performance ofthe procedure is shown. In this view, the patient 1 has the endoscope 10passing through the mouth and esophagus and into the stomach 12. Theendoscope tool 13 has gathered stomach tissue from an interior of thestomach and formed it into a ball type shape 15. A band 14 is wrappedaround the stomach tissue to hold the gathered tissue in place, therebysecuring the stomach in a reduced-volume position compared to itsoriginal volume without the gathered stomach tissue 15. As shown in thisfigure, the procedure is performed on the greater curvature of thestomach in this embodiment, though any area of the stomach may be used.

FIG. 2 provides a detail view of an embodiment of the gathered stomachtissue ball. In this view, the stomach tissue is gathered and formedinto a ball 15. A band 14 separates the gathered ball 15 from theremainder of the stomach 12. This band 14 comprises a marker 16, whichmay be any marker which allows identification of the location of theband 14.

FIG. 3 provides a detail view of an embodiment of the gathered stomachtissue “ball.” In this view, a net or mesh wrap 31 surrounds thegathered stomach tissue ball 15, holding it together and in place. Ofcourse, the wrap 13 may be made of any material, permeable or not,without straying from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 4 provides a view of an embodiment of the procedure using a suctionendoscope tool. In this embodiment, an area of the stomach 12 iscontacted by a suction cup 41. A low pressure is drawn through tube 40,causing the stomach tissue to be drawn into, and held by, the cup 41.From there, the cup 41 may be drawn away from the rest of the stomach12, gathering the stomach tissue. This gathered tissue may then besecured together (not shown) so as to reduce the effective volume of thestomach 12.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide exemplary embodiments of tools of endoscopes whichmay be used to perform the procedure of the subject disclosure. FIG. 5provides an embodiment of the endoscope 10 having tools 52 and 51. Thesetools 52, 51 are movable and operable by the endoscope operator. Tool 52is a pincer which can hold a portion of stomach tissue and draw it to agathered position, in some cases with the aid of tool 51 which is ahook. Once gathered, these tools may then be used to secure the tissuein place, using any one or more of the various structures disclosedabove, or any other method or structure to secure the tissue togetherand in place. FIG. 6 provides an embodiment of the endoscope 10 havingtools 62 and 61. Tool 61 is a pincer, while tool 62 is movable as afinger to push, hold, and guide as needed. The tools, alone or incombination can be used to gather a portion of stomach tissue together.In some cases, an endoscope having three tools is used, with two toolsholding the stomach tissue, and a third applying the band (or otherstructure) to secure the gathered stomach tissue. The endoscope 10 tools61, 62 may then be used to secure the gathered tissue in place using anyof the structures disclosed above, or any other method or structure.

In one embodiment of the securing of the stomach tissue using anendoscope and tool(s), a pincer tool may hold open a ring or band andpass it over the gathered tissue, the ring or band may then betightened, tied, or otherwise tightened to secure the stomach tissue inplace. If the ring is elastic, it may be stretched wide and then allowedto relax to a tightened position to secure the stomach tissue in place.A similar operation may be performed with two finger type endoscopetools to hold opposite sides of the ring/band etc. In anotherembodiment, two pincer tools may be used to hold opposite ends of a tie,each tool can bring the opposite sides together over the gathered tissueand connect them, holding the tissue in the gathered position.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparentthat further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scopeof the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and areinclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as setforth. Moreover, while certain aspects of the invention are disclosedwith certain embodiments, it is to be understood that these differentaspects of the embodiments may be combined and interchanged with otherembodiments. Indeed by this written disclosure, any element, step, orother aspect of one disclosed embodiment may be equally applied to anyother embodiment without straying from the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing stomach volume comprisingthe steps of: gathering together, from an inside of the stomach, aquantity of stomach tissue of a stomach of a patient wherein the stomachtissue is gathered into a ball or egg shape; and securing, on the insideof the stomach, the gathered quantity of stomach tissue in the ball oregg shape so as to reduce a volume of the stomach of the patient;wherein the step of securing the stomach tissue in the gathered positionallows blood flow to the gathered quantity of stomach tissue; thegathering and securing step performed without a cutting of any tissue ofthe patient.
 2. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 1 whereinthe gathering step and securing step are done endoscopically using anendoscope.
 3. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 2 whereinthe endoscope comprising two separately operable tools, the first of thetwo separately operable tools being a pincer tool.
 4. The method ofreducing stomach volume of claim 3 wherein the second of the twoseparately operable tools is a vacuum tool.
 5. The method of reducingstomach volume of claim 3 wherein the endoscope further comprises athird separately operable tool.
 6. The method of reducing stomach volumeof claim 3 wherein the pincer tool holds open a ring or band, andwherein the securing step comprises passing the ring or band over thegathered tissue.
 7. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 1wherein the stomach is kept fully intact.
 8. A method of reducingstomach volume comprising the steps of: gathering together, from aninside of the stomach, a quantity of stomach tissue of a stomach of apatient; and securing, on the inside of the stomach, the gatheredquantity of stomach tissue in a gathered position so as to reduce avolume of the stomach of the patient; wherein the step of securing thestomach tissue in the gathered position allows blood flow to thegathered quantity of stomach tissue; the gathering and securing stepperformed without a cutting of any tissue of the patient; and whereinthe securing step is performed by wrapping a band about a part of thegathered stomach tissue.
 9. The method of reducing stomach volume ofclaim 8 wherein the stomach tissue is gathered into a ball or egg shape.10. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 8 wherein the bandfurther comprises a marker.
 11. The method of reducing stomach volume ofclaim 8 wherein the gathering step and securing step are doneendoscopically using an endoscope.
 12. The method of reducing stomachvolume of claim 11 wherein the endoscope comprising two separatelyoperable tools, the first of the two separately operable tools being apincer tool.
 13. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 12wherein the second of the two separately operable tools is a vacuumtool.
 14. The method of reducing stomach volume of claim 12 wherein theendoscope further comprises a third separately operable tool.
 15. Themethod of reducing stomach volume of claim 12 wherein the pincer toolholds open the band, and wherein the securing step comprises passing theband over the gathered tissue.
 16. An endoscopic tool for reducingstomach volume comprising: an elongate endoscope body; a controller; atleast two separately operable tools at a distal end of the endoscopeoperable by the controller, the at least two separately operable toolscomprising a pincer and a vacuum tool; a vacuum source connected to thevacuum tool and operable to draw a low pressure through the vacuum tool;one of a net, mesh wrap, ring, band, or balloon held in an open positionby the pincer tool; and wherein the vacuum tool is adapted to draw aquantity of stomach tissue into a ball or egg shape and wherein thepincer tool is adapted to secure the gathered stomach tissue by wrappingthe one of the net, mesh wrap, band, or balloon about the quantity ofgathered stomach tissue.
 17. The endoscope tool of claim 16 wherein theendoscope further comprises a third separately operable tool.
 18. Theendoscope tool of claim 16 wherein the one of a net, mesh wrap, ring,band, or balloon is a band.
 19. The endoscope tool of claim 16 whereinthe one of a net, mesh wrap, ring, band, or balloon is sized andconfigured to hold a gathered stomach tissue in a ball or egg shapewhile still allowing blood flow to the gathered stomach tissue.
 20. Theendoscope tool of claim 16 wherein the controller is a motorizedcontroller.